Barns Green Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race (261 votes). 2010 race reviewed by: M.ister W
 | | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Tough, well organised race but please do something about the mud
In full: A glance at the course profile (if one were to be published) would show very little flat and a fair selection of nasty hills in the 13.1 miles. However, completely closed roads, good marshalling and decent support make this a good race. My only complaint is the mud in the main field and the car parks. I got out early but I'll guess that lots of people needed to be pushed out of the car parks. The organisers know it's likely to be wet so need to come up with a solution.
Date of review: November 1, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Karen Clinton
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The parking debacle at the beginning meant that although I arrived at 10am I only had 1 minute to actually get to the start line at 11am!
In full: Support was lovely - goodie bag was a joke - waste of a carrier bag!
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Oompa
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastically well organised
In full: Cr*p weather but unbelievably well organised with marshalls everywhere! Enthusiatic crowds(despite the weather) and to top it all 3 mins off my PB!!! Thanks BG for a fabulous race.
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: AweSimon
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Wet, muddy, but happy
In full: Very happy to have made it round my first Half Marathon - didn't hurt as much as i thought either! Race organisation was splendid - however, i have a couple of points for next year:
1) More tents!!!
2) Cars frequently got stuck in the overspill field - maybe stick something down next year for traction purposes
3) A date on the back of the medal??????
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Nina Williams
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Had a great time
In full: The marshalls did a superb job encouraging everyone in those wet conditions. The weather couldn't be helped, to me it seemed as well organised as always, will be back next year.
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: rookery
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: An undulating course on traffic free country lanes
In full: Getting the car parked at the start was very slow, with long traffic queues building up through the village, even though I arrived at 9.45 (for an 11am start).
Once the car was parked, the race was well organised. As always, quite a few people were over ambitious with their starting position, despite the clear signs.
A nice course on traffic free country lanes, very undulating however. Plenty of drinks stations and great support despite the bad weather.
Thanks to the marshalls who pushed my car out of the mud at the end!
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Jenno T
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: loved it
In full: Must say the local support and marshalling were fabulous.. thank you! I really liked this race, all traffic free and stunning scenery, with undulations and varied terrain for added interest. Loved it. Got there early so no problem parking.
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Julie Shepherd
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Traffic free route, but parking a nightmare
In full: Pros: Its great that the route is entirely free of traffic. Also the marshalls and public support along the course was excellent.
Cons: I think the race has gotten too big for the organisers - i queued in traffic for 35 mins through the village in order to park which i have never had to do at a race before. As a result despite being there 50 mins before the start I did not get to warm up. I really felt the lack of a warm up and noticed many others needing to stretch out along the route as well. Also the roads at the start are congested with the sheer amount of runners.
I think this has the potential to be a good race with about 20% less participants. Unfortunately on balance I will not be back next year.
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Mr. Fink-Nottle
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 40% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Sorry, but it all points down.
In full: Horrendous traffic hold-up prior to race meant no time for warm-up, stretching, or getting the feel of the race. Very nearly turned rould to head back for home. Had allowed plenty of time for the journey. Myself and others not in the right frame of mind as a result. Ok medal, the person handing them out seemed more intent on chatting with her friends rather than welcoming me (and others?) back. Goody bag nothing special. The only good thing I can say about this race was the scenery, especially running through the grounds of Christs Hospital. Crawled in with my worst half-marathon time. Something will seriously have to be done about the traffic flow into the car park. Not sure if I will do this one again.
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: TheWhiteWiltord
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A friend recommended this race and their recommendation was sporty on. It's a great race with superb organisation. If you haven't done it before give it a try!
Date of review: October 31, 2010
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